San Francisco to Seattle: Anybody ever driven it?

[Eustace]

I was thinking about visiting SF, then renting a car and driving to Napa and then up to Oregon wine country and Portland, and from there to Seattle and Victoria Island, probably over the course of 10 days or so. Has anybody ever done this? It's a long drive but I figured that the Oregon coastline would be pretty amazing and I've never been north of SF. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[hossoso]

I have driven that many, many times. What exactly would you like to know?

 

[foodguy]

i've driven a LOT from SF to the Oregon border. happy to help with recs if necessary.

 

[Eustace]

Where would you stop between Napa and Portland? Have you driven the coast (101 I believe) or just the 5?

 

[foodguy]

Originally Posted by Eustace

Where would you stop between Napa and Portland? Have you driven the coast (101 I believe) or just the 5?
mostly the 101. that's pretty. the 5 is pretty drab.
heading out of SF, you'll go through Sonoma. Iif you want, at petaluma you can cross to the coast and follow the 1 all the way up to mendocino. awesome drive, really beautiful. Stop in Tomales Bay at Marshall store for oysters. Mendocino is really pretty. in fact, if you take the 101 up, you might even go across on 128 for a quick visit. 128 is one of the great driving roads in Cali, i think. you'll go up through Yorkville Highlands, through Boonville, and then hit theAnderson Valley. Definitely stop at Roederer and at Navarro tasting rooms. Not a whole lot to eat in the town of Mendocino, but i do like cafe Beaujolais if you want pricey, or silver's in noyo harbor for cheaper but still good crab. you'll want to get back to the 101 from there and it's a pretty drive, but nothing to do until you hit Eureka/Arcata (Humboldt County ... you can probably figure out what to do there). seriously, beautiful area, i usually eat at Laruppin. There's also a little diner called Seascape in patrick's point that's right on the water. go for breakfast. from there, you're about an hour of nothing but great views up to Oregon. really a nice drive all the way up.

 

[itsstillmatt]

Originally Posted by hossoso

I have driven that many, many times. What exactly would you like to know?
Why didn't you visit me, Hoss?

 

[Connemara]

Originally Posted by iammatt

Why didn't you visit me, Hoss?
He only pals around with the common folk.

 

[Manton]

Done it by boat. That is fun.

 

[hossoso]

Originally Posted by iammatt

Why didn't you visit me, Hoss?

I will, next time and I will drive you to Houston, I have found your Victorian taxidermy.

Originally Posted by Connemara

He only pals around with the common folk.

Gross.

Originally Posted by Manton

Done it by boat. That is fun.

I may be of service. I can sail anything--like nobody's business (I mean that very seriously). I may even be able to upgrade you in a cove that has no eyes on it. Any interest in taking over the Comoros?

 

[Manton]

My father's boat is currently in Seattle somewhere. (I have not visited him there; I was supposed to go in April but it fell through.) When he brings it down I am going to hitch a ride. If I can spare the time I will take it all the way to San Diego. My favorite thing to do in life is to sail from SF to SD hitting every harbor along the way.

 

[Eustace]

Originally Posted by foodguy

mostly the 101. that's pretty. the 5 is pretty drab.
heading out of SF, you'll go through Sonoma. Iif you want, at petaluma you can cross to the coast and follow the 1 all the way up to mendocino. awesome drive, really beautiful. Stop in Tomales Bay at Marshall store for oysters. Mendocino is really pretty. in fact, if you take the 101 up, you might even go across on 128 for a quick visit. 128 is one of the great driving roads in Cali, i think. you'll go up through Yorkville Highlands, through Boonville, and then hit theAnderson Valley. Definitely stop at Roederer and at Navarro tasting rooms. Not a whole lot to eat in the town of Mendocino, but i do like cafe Beaujolais if you want pricey, or silver's in noyo harbor for cheaper but still good crab. you'll want to get back to the 101 from there and it's a pretty drive, but nothing to do until you hit Eureka/Arcata (Humboldt County ... you can probably figure out what to do there). seriously, beautiful area, i usually eat at Laruppin. There's also a little diner called Seascape in patrick's point that's right on the water. go for breakfast. from there, you're about an hour of nothing but great views up to Oregon. really a nice drive all the way up.

This is what I was looking for. Thanks a bunch. We'll likely stay in Napa/Sonoma for at least two days. I was thinking probably: 2 days SF, 2 days Napa, 1 day between Napa and Portland, 2 days Portland and Oregon wine country, 3 days Seattle/BC.

I think I'm covered in terms of restaurants for the SF/Napa leg but if there are some can't-miss recs for Portland and Seattle I'd love to hear them.

 

[Manton]

Crecent City is worth pausing for an hour or so. The nastiest prison in California--Pelican Bay--is up there. I don't think they give tours. I really dig Eureka and Arcata. Mendocino and Ferndale are great towns. Also Fort Bragg. Avenue of the Giants. Then Ukiah, Sevastapol, etc.

Then of course the legendary Kwilk in Healdsburg.

 

[hossoso]

Originally Posted by Manton

My father's boat is currently in Seattle somewhere. (I have not visited him there; I was supposed to go in April but it fell through.) When he brings it down I am going to hitch a ride. If I can spare the time I will take it all the way to San Diego. My favorite thing to do in life is to sail from SF to SD hitting every harbor along the way.

I wish you'd come up here while I'm still in the states. What bay is your father in?

 

[Manton]

Originally Posted by hossoso

What bay is your father in?

I don't even know.

 

[Eustace]

Originally Posted by Manton

Crecent City is worth pausing for an hour or so. The nastiest prison in California--Pelican Bay--is up there. I don't think they give tours. I really dig Eureka and Arcata. Mendocino and Ferndale are great towns. Also Fort Bragg. Avenue of the Giants. Then Ukiah, Sevastapol, etc.

Then of course the legendary Kwilk in Healdsburg.

Nice. Where does he cook? Cyrus? I think we're going to French Laundry one night but can try someplace else another night while in CA wine country.